“You expect responses. You expect reactions,” said the Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. “When we say 'black lives matter' we are not negating that all lives matter. God created us all equal and black lives are not treated equal in this nation.”

Howell, who hails from the Dominican Republic said she is undeterred by the recent vandalism. She said the church will keep replacing the signs until the vandalism stops.

Pat Rice, an African-American member of the church, believes the Black Lives Matter movement is misunderstood by some, especially given the recent peaceful protest in Dallas that turned violent against police.

“People are frightened by the sign. It’s an emotionally charged sign,” said Rice.

"I am imagining that that person [who vandalized the sign] maybe believes that they understand but hasn’t had the benefit of the types of conversations that I've been able to have,” added West.

West, who has participated in several peaceful protests for the Black Lives Matter cause, said conversations with fellow parishioners, like Rice, have opened her mind to see the inequality African-Americans face.

"I'm the mother of a grandson who's a young black male. He may be stopped and he may be looking at the end of the gun. So, we have that conversation all the time, just be careful don't make sudden moves,” explained Rice.

Leaders say they hope this is the last time the sign is vandalized but won’t be surprised if it happens again.